Information Minister: NCC to boost media effectiveness

Manama, Oct. 10 (BNA): Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi hailed the Cabinet's approval of setting up and organising a national communication centre in charge of collecting and monitoring data according to an advanced method as well as unifying the public media discourse and boosting its effectiveness in Bahrain and beyond. He pointed out the role of the centre in projecting the achievements of the reform project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and highlighting support of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. The Information Minister revealed that the National Communication Centre (NCC) will become operational soon after its establishment and regulation by a royal decree as a government party affiliated with the Information Minister. The centre, he added, will be in charge of promoting integration and coordination between ministries and government bodies by mapping out strategies of government media discourse and monitoring their execution and development. The Information Minister pointed out completion of a state-of-the-art building in the Information Ministry premises which will serve as NCC headquarters that comprises specialised directorates in monitoring, analysis, digital media, telecommunication, media relations and strategic planning. He noted that the new facility will substitute the Information Ministry's General Directorate of Foreign Communication to upgrade media discourse and promote it locally and internationally. The Information Minister praised cooperation with the Civil Service Bureau (CSB), stressing that NCC will work on building strong and influential relations with foreign mass media by taking the initiative in elucidating the truth through coordination with relevant parties. He added that the new centre also aims to unify national efforts in handling emergencies and crises as well as countering false and defamatory campaigns. The Information Minister underscored the ongoing national march in developing the media and telecommunication sector so as to keep abreast of the latest developments in the new media field and highlight Bahrain's achievements.